Single use container

ABSTRACT

A single use container comprises a slider having first and second closable profiles having an adhesive or epoxy disposed thereon. The profiles are configured, for example, to prevent premature closing and bonding.

RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.78(a)(4) and 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), thisapplication claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/475,431, filed Jun. 3, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to security bags or containers, and inparticular to single use or tamper evident containers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Many industries, such as the financial services, armored car and retailand grocery store industries purchase security bags to move money andother important documents from one location to another. It is desirablethat a security bag be capable of evidencing tampering that may haveoccurred as the bag is moved from a first location where it is filled toa second location where it is desired that the contents be deliveredwith confirmation that no tampering of the bag's contents has occurred.A security bag protects the contents of the bag from unauthorizedtampering. This object has been accomplished by incorporating varioussecurity features such as, for example, tamper evident “void tape” orsequential numbering on both the bag and tear off receipts. However,such products have not proven to be completely satisfactory and improvedsecurity bags and/or containers are needed.

Prior art devices have also utilized an adhesive disposed on one or bothof the closing strips such that when the strips are pressed securelytogether to close the bag. To open the bag after closing it becomesnecessary to tear the bag, which, of course destroys the bag andprovides evidence of tampering. Such bags are prone to prematureclosing, for example, when the strips come into contact with one anotherduring manufacturing or shipping, or if they inadvertently come intocontact at any time. Bags that close prematurely cannot thereafter beused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a tamper resistant orsingle use container. One embodiment of the invention includes a bag orflexible container having an opening with a pair of interlockingfastener strips and a slider for closing the strips. A bonding agentsuch as an adhesive or epoxy is disposed on at least one of thefasteners strips. The slider is movable along the strips to fuse themtogether so that the bag must be torn apart to gain entry.

In another embodiment of the invention, there may be no end stops on oneor both ends of the profiles so that the slider may be moved off of thefasteners strips and thrown away. Still another embodiment of theinvention may include the feature of microencapsulated bonding agentssuch that movement of the slider crushes the capsules resulting in thecombining of a two-part epoxy compound. A further embodiment of theinvention involves two pair of profiles, one being a single use profileand the other being a reclosable closure. Either one of the two paircould be the external pair of profiles.

These and other objects of the present invention will be classified inthe following description of the preferred embodiments in connectionwith the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims, wherein likereference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawingsconstitute a part of this application and include exemplary embodimentsof the present invention and illustrate various features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a flexible container embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the container in a differentoperating position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the container and slider ofthe invention but looking at the container in the opposite directionfrom FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of an alternative embodiment of theinvention having two pairs profiles, one of which may be a single useprofile and the other of which may be a reusable profile.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 of another alternativeembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further alternativeembodiment of the invention comprising a film covering an adhesive.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 butshowing the profiles prior to closure.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a slider forming a part of the embodimentof FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of a further embodiment of theinvention comprising a guard formed along an interior portion of aslider.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of still another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 but alsoshowing a slider on the profiles.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views of still another embodiment of theinvention comprising an offset or misaligned slider assembly.

It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, whereconsidered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among theFigures to indicate corresponding elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a flexible container or bag 10comprising two sheets 11 of plastic film which are joined or sealedtogether at edges 12, 15 and 16. The bag 10 may be made from anysuitable thermoplastic film such as, for example, low densitypolyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, substantially linearcopolymers of ethylene and a C3-C8 ∝-olefin, polypropylene,polyvinylidene chloride, or mixtures of two or more of these polymers ormixtures of one of these polymers with another thermoplastic polymer.The sheets 11 of film should, however, be capable of showing anyperforation or tear that is present in or performed upon the sheets 11.

Referring to FIG. 3, mounted on the upper edges of the sheets 11 is apair of interlocking fastener strips 17 and 20 which include,respectively, first and second interlocking profiles 21 and 22 (e.g.,hook-like interlocking). When the bag is open, i.e., before the closureassembly or slider 25 is moved, the profiles are misaligned, i.e., notengaged. When the bag is closed, the first profile 21 interlocks withthe second profile 22 so that the profiles are interlocked throughouttheir entire length thereby forming a seal when by virtue of the twopart epoxy.

The closure or interlocking of the profiles is achieved by moving theslider 25 from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 2, thatis, by moving the slider completely off of the bag 10 (FIG. 3illustrates the position of the slider 25 with a portion of the bag openand a portion of the bag closed). The slider 25 comprises suitablemeans, such as closing bars 37 (see FIG. 4) or 57 (see FIG. 8), forforcing the profiles 21 and 22 together so that they become interlockedwhen the slider 25 is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 2. Asillustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an end stop 42 is provided whichprevents the slider 25 from sliding off of the leftward end of thecontainer 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, at or adjacent the contacting surfaces 26 and 27 ofthe profiles 21 and 22 there is provided a bonding agent such as atwo-part epoxy compound. One part of the epoxy may be provided on or inthe profile 21 and the other part on or in the profile 22.Alternatively, any other type of permanently adhering adhesive may beprovided on or adjacent the contacting surfaces of at least one of theprofiles 21 and 22. The epoxy compound and/or the adhesive is chosensuch that the effect of the coming together of the profiles 21 and 22causes them to be connected with a strength greater than the strength ofthe materials of the profiles 21 and 22.

Thus, in the event that an effort is made to separate the profiles 21and 22 after they have been closed by the slider, they cannot beseparated without tearing one or the other of the profiles, therebyproviding tamper evidence.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention comprising areclosable closure 30 located internally of a container 31 (shown onlyfragmentarily). The reclosable closure 30 does not include any epoxy oradhesive material but includes a separator 29 which operates to separatethe profiles and open the bag when the slider is moved in one direction.When the slider is moved in the opposite direction closing bars (notshown) force the profiles together. The container 31 also includes asingle use slider 32 which is mounted on fastener strips 35 and 36 andincludes adhesive or epoxy materials as discussed above. The slider 32has opposing closing bars 37 which force the profiles 40 and 41 of thefastener strips together to securely close the profiles.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention that isidentical to the embodiment of FIG. 4, except that the configuration ofthe reclosable closure and the single use closure is reversed, that is,the reclosable closure 45 is located externally from the single useclosure 46.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate an additional embodiment of the inventioncomprising fastener strips 50 and 51 which include, respectively, firstand second profiles 52 and 55. FIG. 7 illustrates the profiles prior tobeing closed by the slider 56. FIG. 6 illustrates the profiles afterthey have been closed by the slider 56, which has inwardly extendingclosing bars 57,

Referring in detail to FIG. 7, the first profile 52 includes a femaleportion 60 that is filled with adhesive 61 and is closed off duringmanufacture by a film 59 which prevents the epoxy or adhesive materialfrom bonding with the second profile 55. The film 59 may, for example,be extruded over the adhesive 61 during manufacturing. The film 59should be made from a material suitable to resist surface contactincidental to the manufacturing, shipping and the like and to withstandvariations in temperature, humidity and the like.

In operation, moving the slider 56 along the fastener strips to theposition illustrated in FIG. 6 causes the dual male portion 62 topuncture the film 59 and to couple with the female portion 60 as shownin FIG. 6. The profiles 52 and 55 may also include secondary maleportion 65 and female portion 66 which function to keep the profilestogether, for example during manufacturing, extrusion, shipping, bagmaking, etc.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present inventioncomprising closure assembly 69 having fastener strips 70 and 71. Thefastener strips include respective first and second profiles 72 and 75.The closure assembly 69 is similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 6-8 inthat it includes a female portion 76 which is filled with adhesive 77and is closed off during manufacture by a film 80. As illustrated inFIG. 9, a guard 85 extends inwardly from fastener strip 71 and isgenerally positioned between male portions 82 and female portions 76.The guard 85 prevents premature closing of the fastener strips 70 and71. The guard 85 functions to protect the film 80 and the adhesive 77 sothat the dual male portion 83 does not puncture the film 80. Theprofiles 70 and 71 include secondary male portion 85 and female portion86 which have the same function and purpose as the portions 65 and 66described above.

Closure assembly 69 also comprises a slider such as the slider 81 shownin FIG. 11 which has a separator 82. During operation, as the slider 81is moved to close the bag, the separator 82 functions to depress theguard 85 and allows the male portions 83 to puncture the film 80 toallow the profiles to securely bond. That is, when it is desired toclose and seal the bag, the separator 82 pushes the protector 85downwardly out of the way so that the dual male portion 82 can puncturethe film 80 and mate with the female portion 76.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment 88 of the presentinvention comprising fastener strips 87 and 90. This embodiment includesa shield or protector 91 that has the same purpose and function as theguard 85 discussed above. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the protectorextends generally inwardly from the fastener strip 87 and is locatedbetween the male and female portions 92 and 95. An epoxy or adhesive isprovided in or on the walls of the male and/or female portions 92 and95.

The protector 91 is shown in FIG. 10 in its initial position wherein itprotects the inside of the female portion 95 and prevents prematureclosure of the fastener strips. FIG. 11 shows the action of the slider87 as it is moved from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 2.As shown in FIG. 11 the separator 82 engages the shield 91 and moves itto a position wherein it does not block the dual male portion 92 andallows it to close with the female portion 95 to seal the bag. Suchsealing does not occur, however, until after the separator 82 passesbetween the male and female portions and closing bars (not shown) suchas the closing bars 37 and 57 force the male and female portions 92 and95 together.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a further embodiment of the inventioncomprising a closure assembly 89 which includes fastener strips 90 and91. As illustrated in FIG. 12, male profile portion 92 is extrudedgenerally at an angle wither respect to the side wall of the fastenerstrip 91 such that if the fastener strips 90 and 91 are pressed together(e.g., during manufacture, shipping, etc.) the male profile portion 92is out of alignment with the female profile portion 95 so that it cannotclose to seal the profile portions together. Referring to FIG. 13, whenthe separator 99 passes between the fastener strips 90 and 91 the maleprofile portion is forced downward such that the fastener strips besealed to one another by the closing bars of the slider. Similarly toone or more of the other disclosed embodiments adhesive may be used withthis embodiment by filling the female profile portion 95 with adhesiveand providing a film such as the film 80. Alternatively epoxy may beused on the surface or near the surface of the male and female portions92 and 95 for securing the fastener strips together.

Any and all of the aforementioned embodiments can be modified to includeone or more mechanically scored or laser scored portions (e.g., near thecenter of the length of the profiles, or at various places along thelength thereof, or along the entire length thereof). Such scoredportions may be provided to weaken the attachment of either the male orthe female profile to the flange of the fastener strips. For example, ifthere is a single, short line of weakening between a profile and thefastener flange, then during an attempt to open the bag the profileswould easily separate only at this weakened area. This weakened area canbe sized to be small enough to not permit access to the interior of thebag yet big enough to allow a finger or two into the interior of thebag, such that the person would be able to tear it apart to provideevidence of tampering.

In another embodiment, there could be a score line between a fastenerprofile and the flange of the fastener strips as described above,leading to a second score line. The second destruction could be along asecond score line (such as one that extends at an angle from the firstscore line).

Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention hasbeen described by reference to two exemplary embodiments, and the bestmode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shownand described, it will be understood that modification or variations inthe structure and arrangement of this embodiment other than thosespecifically set forth herein may be achieved by those skilled in theart and that such modifications are to be considered as being within theoverall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated tocover the present invention and any and all modifications, variations,equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of theunderlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, thescope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by theattached claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A fastener assembly for attachment to a container,comprising: first and second interlockable fastener strips attachable toa bag opening, said first and second fastener strips having respectivefirst and second interlockable profiles capable of engaging one another,said first and second fastener strips having respective third and fourthprofiles attachable to the bag opening and capable of repeatedlyengaging one another and repeatedly disengaging one another; and abonding agent disposed upon at least a portion of at least one of thefirst and second profiles; wherein said first and second profiles arecapable of being adhered together by the bonding agent when said firstand second profiles are interlocked to one another.
 22. The fastenerassembly of claim 21 which further comprises a pair of flanges forattachment to a bag opening, wherein said third profile is between saidfirst profile and one said flange, and said fourth profile is betweensaid second profile and the other said flange.
 23. The fastener assemblyof claim 22 which further comprises a score line between said thirdprofile and the one said flange.
 24. The fastener assembly of claim 22which further comprises a slider mechanism for moving said first andsecond interlockable profiles into contact such that the bonding agentsecurely fastens said first and second profiles together.
 25. Thefastener assembly of claim 21 which further comprises a slider mechanismfor moving said first and second interlockable profiles into contactsuch that the bonding agent securely fastens said first and secondprofiles together.
 26. The fastener assembly of claim 21 wherein saidthird profile does not have a bonding agent disposed thereon and saidfourth profile does not have a bonding agent disposed thereon.
 27. Afastener assembly for attachment to a container, comprising: first andsecond profiles attachable to a bag opening, the first profile having amale protrusion formed thereon and the second profile having a femalereceptacle formed thereon adapted and configured to engage the maleprotrusion; and a flexible guard coupled to one of said first profile orsaid second profile and moveable from a first position generally betweenthe male protrusion and the female receptacle to a second positionwherein the guard is not between the male protrusion and the femalereceptacle.
 28. The fastener assembly of claim 27 which furthercomprises a slider slidably mounted to said first and second profilesfor engaging the first and second profiles, the slider including aseparator configured to move the guard from the first position to thesecond position as the slider is moved along the length of the profiles.29. The fastener assembly of claim 27 which further comprises a bondingagent disposed upon at least a portion of at least one of the first andsecond profiles.
 30. The fastener assembly of claim 27 which furthercomprises third and fourth profiles attachable to the bag opening andcapable of repeatedly engaging one another and repeatedly disengagingone another.
 31. The fastener assembly of claim 30 which furthercomprises a pair of flanges for attachment to a bag opening, whereinsaid third profile is between said first profile and one said flange,and said fourth profile is between said second profile and the othersaid flange.
 32. The fastener assembly of claim 31 which furthercomprises a score line between said third profile and the one saidflange.
 33. A fastener assembly for attachment to a container,comprising: first and second interlockable fastener strips attachable tosaid container opening, said first and second fastener strips havingrespective first and second profiles attached to the container at theopening, the first profile having a male protrusion formed thereon andthe second profile having a female receptacle formed thereon sized toreceive the male protrusion, each of said fastener strips including aflange for attachment to said container opening; a bonding agentdisposed upon at least a portion of at least one of the first and secondprofiles; and a score line between one of said first or second profilesand the corresponding said flange for separation of the one profile fromthe flange.
 34. The fastener assembly of claim 33 which furthercomprises a slider slidably mounted to said first and secondinterlockable fastener strips and movable thereon in a direction tointerlock said first and second strips.
 35. The fastener assembly ofclaim 33 which further comprises a protective film over said bondingagent.
 36. The fastener assembly of claim 33 which further comprisesthird and fourth interlockable fastener strips attachable to saidcontainer and capable of interlocking with one another and enclosing atleast a portion of said first and second fastener strips when said thirdand fourth fastener strips are joined to one another.
 37. The fastenerassembly of claim 33 which further comprises third and fourthinterlockable fastener strips attachable to said container and capableof interlocking with one another, said third and fourth fastener stripsbeing at least partly enclosed by said first and second fastener stripswhen said first and second fastener strips are joined to one another.38. A fastener assembly for attachment to a container, comprising: afirst pair of interlockable fastener strips attachable to a container,said first pair of fastener strips being capable of interlocking withone another, a second pair of interlockable fastener strips capable ofinterlocking with one another and enclosing at least a portion of saidfirst pair of interlockable fastener strips when said second pair areinterlocked, a slider slidably mounted to one of said first pair offastener strips or said second pair of fastener strips and movablethereon in a direction to interlock the one said pair.
 39. The fastenerassembly of claim 38 wherein said first pair of fastener strips arecapable of repeatedly engaging and repeatedly disengaging with oneanother and said second pair of fastener strips are not capable ofdisengaging from one another without permanent deformation.
 40. Thefastener assembly of claim 39 which further comprises a bonding agentdisposed upon at least a portion of said second pair of fastener strips.41. The fastener assembly of claim 38 wherein said second pair offastener strips are capable of repeatedly engaging and repeatedlydisengaging with one another and said first pair of fastener strips arenot capable of disengaging from one another without permanentdeformation.
 42. The fastener assembly of claim 41 which furthercomprises a bonding agent disposed upon at least a portion of said firstpair of fastener strips.
 43. The fastener assembly of claim 38 whichfurther comprises a score line for detaching said second pair offastener strips from said fastener assembly.
 44. The fastener assemblyof claim 38 wherein said slider is a first slider, and which furthercomprises a second slider slidably mounted to the other of said firstpair or said second pair and movable in a direction to interlock theother said pair.
 45. A tamper evident bag, comprising: a bag having anopening with two opposing sides; a first interlockable fastener stripalong one side of the bag opening, a second interlockable fastener stripalong the other side of the bag opening, said first and second fastenerstrips being capable of interlocking with one another, a tamper evidentmember for limiting access to at least a portion of said opening, saidtamper evident seal including a third interlockable fastener strip and afourth interlockable fastener strip, said third and fourth fastenerstrips being capable of interlocking with one another separately fromthe interlocking of said first and second fastener strips, and a sliderslidably mounted to one of said first and second fastener strips or saidthird and fourth fastener strips and movable thereon in a direction tointerlock the one said pair.
 46. The bag of claim 45 wherein said firstsaid first and second fastener strips are capable of repeatedly engagingand repeatedly disengaging with one another without permanentdeformation and said third and fourth fastener strips are not capable ofdisengaging from one another without permanent deformation.
 47. The bagof claim 46 which further comprises a bonding agent disposed upon atleast a portion of said third and fourth fastener strips.
 48. The bag ofclaim 45 which further comprises a score line for detaching said thirdand fourth fastener strips from said bag.
 49. The bag of claim 45wherein said slider is a first slider, and which further comprises asecond slider slidably mounted to the other of said first and secondfastener strips or said third and fourth fastener strips and movable ina direction to interlock the other said pair.
 50. The bag of claim 45wherein said first and second fastener strips enclose at least a portionof said third and fourth fastener strips.
 51. The bag of claim 45wherein said third and fourth fastener strips enclose at least a portionof said first and second fastener strips.